Trees uprooted by storm yet to be cleared from roads

Citizens suggest cutting trees that reach maximum duration to avoid toppling

ISLAMABAD: Trees toppled by the dangerous storm which hit the federal capital on Friday night have not been picked up yet from Islamabad’s different roads due to which citizens are facing severe difficulties. In fact Gulshan Jinnah’s residential areas and office routes from Marriot hotel are completely blocked.

According to the details, trees toppled near Kashmir Highway, Sector F-5, Gulshan Jinnah, Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), Margalla Road and Jinnah Super due to yesterday’s rain and storm, as a result of which many roads have been blocked.

Citizens say that Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the district administration should make arrangements in this regard, such trees who have reached their maximum durations should be cut down immediately and new trees should be planted in their place. Wild mulberry trees have fallen due to high winds and concerned departments have no system for that, CDA’s Sanitation Department should immediately remove fallen trees from the streets to clear the roads. Toppling of trees has destroyed the traffic system. While talking with Express they said that the sanitation staff’s holidays were cancelled due to Eid but the trees could still not be removed.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2018.